Towing an Automatic Motorhome

W

Wofogg

Joined
Oct 9, 2022
Posts
29
Likes collected
8
Funster No
91,805
MH
Burstner Delphin 680
Morning All and Happy New Year.

Maybe an old wife's tale But my understanding is that any vehicle with an automatic gearbox cannot be towed .....is this true?
If so what is the procedure for extraction of a motorhome with auto box which has become stuck in a sodden grass pitch ? The local farmer with tractor wouldn't be an option or any other vehicle on site willing to have a go at assisting with a towrope.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Look at what happened to Motoringmasons on YT with their new Carthago - ouch.
 
Upvote 2
The damage that flat towing can cause to an auto gearbox (torque converter type) is due to they are all now front pump gearboxes so unless engine is running there is no lubrication and pressure in the gearbox internals
So , with engine running you are at no risk of internal damage , during a short recovery tow . Just remember to take lever out of park , and if the tow vehicle is having a hard job select d and let engine idle .
 
Upvote 0
....any member on here who owns / owned an automatic with personal experience of that sinking mud splattered feeling and a tow rope ?
 
Upvote 0
When I was recovered in France they removed the propshaft bolts at the diff and tied the propshaft up out of the way, a short tow off the grass with the engine running should be okay though.
 
Upvote 0
Wofogg said:
....any member on here who owns / owned an automatic with personal experience of that sinking mud splattered feeling and a tow rope ?
Click to expand...
Yes I had to be towed off a grass pitch backwards in December, I just put it in reverse to assist the towing vehicle.
 
Upvote 0
Touch wood not needed a tow (yet). Fingers crossed. I have had some wheelspinning events. On wet grass, soft ground, and along a very muddy uphill country lane. Comfortmatic. Fortunately never bogged down completely. Traction control kicks in. It also has some kind of electronic diff lock (doesn't actually lock the diff, only simulates that by braking the wheel that is spinning). I can feel the drivetrain judder, which can be disturbing in itself.

On wet grass or soft surfaces I put grip mats under the front wheels when I park. Best done before than after! Not easy to do with Comfortmatic. A torque converter autobox would make life simpler. Then, just keep going when I leave, sometimes wheels spinning, until I reach a solid surface with enough grip. I don't stop and go back to fetch the grip mats too soon.

Some say those Michelin Camper tyres are awful in those slippery conditions, and I agree entirely. Due for replacement this year with a new set. Something better, I hope.
 
Upvote 0
Wofogg said:
....any member on here who owns / owned an automatic with personal experience of that sinking mud splattered feeling and a tow rope ?
Click to expand...

Yes. Shrewsbury showground a few years ago. Some Funster said "drive over here it's all ok ". :doh::rofl:
Had the engine running and in neutral, short tow off a tractor.
Fiat 3ltr auto. No issues.
 
Upvote 0
SpeedyDux said:
Touch wood not needed a tow (yet). Fingers crossed. I have had some wheelspinning events. On wet grass, soft ground, and along a very muddy uphill country lane. Comfortmatic. Fortunately never bogged down completely.
Click to expand...
Not a problem with a Comformatic, just put it in neutral then it's the same as a manual in neutral. Been towed a few times, no problem.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
my 5 tonne tag axle has had to be pulled out of mud a few times. As above, always with the engine running, in gear and tickover. No problems with that, but never tow it to recover without the engine running
 
Upvote 0
Thanks folks for all the input and personal experiences.....much appreciated.
Glad it doesn't rule out an automatic option in future.
 
Upvote 0
.
.....Re: Dealers
Anyone on here purchased pre owned from Abacus just outside Andover ?
 
Upvote 0
Wofogg said:
.
.....Re: Dealers
Anyone on here purchased pre owned from Abacus just outside Andover ?
Click to expand...
Abacus are primarily a van rental firm, so I would presume the vans being sold have had a hard life

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
I can understand why towing a torque converter gearbox would cause if done for long distances. There's no fluid circulating unless the engine is running. But would there be any issues just being pulled across a field? As long as it's it neutral, what would get damaged?
 
Upvote 0
DT said:
Look at what happened to Motoringmasons on YT with their new Carthago - ouch.
Click to expand...
I've just started following them. What a nightmare. Theirs much have been rear wheel drive as they talk about the front end being lifted
 
Upvote 0
rb62 said:
I think it must be in here somewhere!

Click to expand...

Yup 5.40 in. Watched it yesterday as I'll still struggling getting into work mode 3 weeks in to 2024! Absolute nightmare for them but both the dealer and Carthago seemed to have done the right thing by them.
 
Upvote 0
TheBig1 said:
Abacus are primarily a van rental firm, so I would presume the vans being sold have had a hard life
Click to expand...
Our first motorhome was ex rental and a good buy. It let us try motorhoming at an affordable price and was pretty much okay. I do wonder if a privately owned very low mileage one might be more prone to mechanical issues
 
Upvote 0
Nowt wrong with an ex rental.
Just go in with your eyes open, very open.

The good news is any rattle and hum has probably been fixed.
All the engine service stuff will be right up to date.

The bad news is usage by multiple people that did not know how to use the motorhome.
So I'd look for repaired external knocks (including the roof and grounding)
Check the loo is complete and working, as people can really mess up cassettes, putting them in backwards, forcing them open/closed, spilling cleaning liquids etc.
Ensure the awning is not damaged.

Check the age of anything that is movable, cooker, cassette, wing mirrors, cooker, tv, spare tyre, radio, seat cushions, flooring, battery, etc.
As hire companies have a tendency to swap items between the fleet, so that the vehicle to be sold has the dodgy item that works, but not as it should.
(ie: the TV that works for 20 mins before it cuts out)

Also ex-hire vehicles tend not to come with any guarantees beyond the first 3 months or whatever.

Our van was the company ex Demo vehicle.
We got it at 18 months old, with 7,000 miles on the clock but are the first registered owner.
Over the years since we have owned it we found that;
We have the dodgy TV (turns green on DVD's) , the wing mirrors, windscreen wiper arms, the loo cassette, are all older than the vehicle (in some case by several years).

We did some minor paintwork damage last year, the guy who did the respraying commented in the excellent quality of the repair at the back at roof level.
News to us. We were unaware of any damage, but now he has shown us, you can see it, but it would take an expert.
The dealers never mentioned they had obviously done several thousand pounds worth of damage to the van.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Lenny HB said:
Please tell us, don't keep us in suspense.
Click to expand...
And they were trapped in the MH cab with no way to contact the Spanish tow truck driver after the auto box got smelly. 😠 Now who sits in a towed vehicle.
 
Upvote 0
DT said:
And they were trapped in the MH cab with no way to contact the Spanish tow truck driver after the auto box got smelly. 😠 Now who sits in a towed vehicle.
Click to expand...
Here it depends. Some tow trucks are a single cab so more than 2 people & the rest have to either stay in the towed vehicle or are in it on the back of said truck.Or they are left behind. Dogs might not also be allowed in the tow truck & many won't leave an animal in the recovered vehicle without being in it themsleves.
Another 'scam' that also happens is that during covid you were not allowed to be in the recovery truck so for any breakdown they also sent a cab/s for the required amount of people.
Since then some scammers have attempted to say that they will "recover the vehicle but you must get a cab at own expense" take no notice , Tell them the second word is off. scamming is all that is.
Additionally ensure the animals ,if any , are covered as most cabs will not take them.
 
Upvote 0
Brains said:
Nowt wrong with an ex rental.
Just go in with your eyes open, very open.

The good news is any rattle and hum has probably been fixed.
All the engine service stuff will be right up to date.

The bad news is usage by multiple people that did not know how to use the motorhome.
So I'd look for repaired external knocks (including the roof and grounding)
Check the loo is complete and working, as people can really mess up cassettes, putting them in backwards, forcing them open/closed, spilling cleaning liquids etc.
Ensure the awning is not damaged.

Check the age of anything that is movable, cooker, cassette, wing mirrors, cooker, tv, spare tyre, radio, seat cushions, flooring, battery, etc.
As hire companies have a tendency to swap items between the fleet, so that the vehicle to be sold has the dodgy item that works, but not as it should.
(ie: the TV that works for 20 mins before it cuts out)

Also ex-hire vehicles tend not to come with any guarantees beyond the first 3 months or whatever.

Our van was the company ex Demo vehicle.
We got it at 18 months old, with 7,000 miles on the clock but are the first registered owner.
Over the years since we have owned it we found that;
We have the dodgy TV (turns green on DVD's) , the wing mirrors, windscreen wiper arms, the loo cassette, are all older than the vehicle (in some case by several years).

We did some minor paintwork damage last year, the guy who did the respraying commented in the excellent quality of the repair at the back at roof level.
News to us. We were unaware of any damage, but now he has shown us, you can see it, but it would take an expert.
The dealers never mentioned they had obviously done several thousand pounds worth of damage to the van.
Click to expand...
Having a few friends now out of the hire business, I can categorically state that most hire vehicles have a very tough life. They rarely sit long enough to get serviced and get disgustingly filthy inside. People have no respect for a vehicle they don't own and think they get their money's worth by leaving the owner to clean up after them.
 
Upvote 1
Guigsy said:
I can understand why towing a torque converter gearbox would cause if done for long distances. There's no fluid circulating unless the engine is running. But would there be any issues just being pulled across a field? As long as it's it neutral, what would get damaged?
Click to expand...
short answer no probs
 
Upvote 0
Wofogg said:
Morning All and Happy New Year.

Maybe an old wife's tale But my understanding is that any vehicle with an automatic gearbox cannot be towed .....is this true?
If so what is the procedure for extraction of a motorhome with auto box which has become stuck in a sodden grass pitch ? The local farmer with tractor wouldn't be an option or any other vehicle on site willing to have a go at assisting with a towrope.
Click to expand...
That is a very good question. I googled it . it says it depends on if it's a full automatic or a electronic controlled manual automatic which i have ie its a Comfortmatic . It also says in the handbook it's ok to tow if in neutral.
 
Upvote 0

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top